Referred to: The Ways and Means Committee (Chairwoman Archer and Legislators Bartels, Gavaris, Haynes, Maio, Ronk, and Walter)

Chairman of the Legislature, David B. Donaldson, offers the following:

WHEREAS, the County of Ulster is a participating county in the Catskill Off-Track Betting Corporation; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature is authorized to appoint a person to serve as its representative on the Corporation Board of Directors (Section 502 (1) of the New York State Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law); and

WHEREAS, Mr. John Naccarato has represented Ulster County since 1999 and has served continuously as Chairman of the Catskill Off Track Betting Corporation (Catskill OTB) since 2002; and

WHEREAS, in his capacity as Chairman, Mr. Naccarato provided invaluable leadership, insight and participation in policymaking and successful operation of off-track betting in the Catskill Region for nearly twenty years, particularly in his own beloved County of Ulster; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership, and prior to the incursion of other state sanctioned gaming, by year-end 2005, Catskill OTB sales grew to $146 million, and the most profitable OTB, distributing a record $25.7 million in that year to racing and government, with member counties receiving nearly $10 million for that year alone; and

WHEREAS, under his leadership, through 2018, Catskill OTB earned revenues of $339,419,151 for racing, $385,858,278 for state and local government, and $20,336,768 for Ulster County since off-track betting began there in 1976 through 2019; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Naccarato has indicated his desire to relinquish his responsibilities at Catskill OTB at this time; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Wanda Williams has been recommended for appointment to fill the current vacancy created by Mr. Naccarato; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Williams is a resident of Ulster County and a well-respected advocate of off-track betting and revenues for Ulster County; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Ms. Wanda Williams is hereby appointed to serve and represent Ulster County on the Board of Directors of the Catskill Off-Track Betting Corporation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the Catskill Off Track Betting Corporation,

and move its adoption.                                                                              

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                     NOES:    

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on _______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE